CHICOPEE – Claire Theresa (Deziel) Cote, 82, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, June 13, 2025. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving husband. She was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on July 30, 1942, a beloved daughter of the late Donat and Azeline (Grenier) Deziel. She was raised in Waterbury, CT and graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School in 1960. She furthered her education and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Annhurst College in Woodstock, CT and did graduate work at Bridgeport University. She moved to Chicopee in 1985 where she lived the remainder of her life. She was the Principal at Saint Stanislaus School in Bristol, CT, then taught at Holy Name School in Springfield. She later became the Principal at Nativity School in the Willimansett section of Chicopee, then Principal at Mount Carmel School in Springfield, Principal of Holy Cross School in Springfield, and completed her career in education at Saint Michael’s Academy in Springfield. Claire was a longtime communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee where she served her parish community as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and a Senior Altar Server. She leaves her beloved husband and best friend, Rene J.A. Cote. They were married on April 27, 1979 at Saint Anthony Church in Bristol, CT and were blessed with over 46 years of happiness together. She also leaves her loving sister, Sister Lorraine Deziel of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Windham, CT; her dear sister-in-law, Louise Cooper of Holyoke; and her extended family members and friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her dear sister, Doris Lamothe and her husband, Rene; and her dear brother-in-law, Edward Cooper. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her visiting hours will be private for the family at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family requests that memorial donations be made in Claire’s memory to Saint Joan of Arc School, 587 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com